Autumn - Winter 2016/17 has been the season of assessments at 3SC…..

Autumn - Winter 2016/17 has been the season of assessments at 3SC…..

Merlin - During September 2016; RNC’s delivery of the Specialist Employment Support (SES) contract (delivered by a consortium of Delivery Organisations and managed by 3SC) was subject to a Merlin Assessment.

The assessors praised “a robust contract management approach of Delivery Organisations that ensure value for money both for the Prime contractor and for the commissioner’. One of the bi-products of contract management is that of being able to deliver a cost effective (value for money) and reliable service to a high standard.The rapid development of an appropriate supply chain network which meets the commissioners and customers’ needs. With National coverage and use of wider networks outside the formal supply chain, the design is very effective and meets multiple stakeholder needs."

In support of the Assessment findings, RNC said: “We selected to work with 3SC as it gave us the ability to be up and running really quickly, the commissioner needed assurances that the supply chain was in place and would be able to support quickly, we felt it was the best way to ensure this happened”

The assessment team interviewed 3SC staff, Key representatives of RNC and representatives of the 15 Delivery Organisations. Those teams who deliver a range of services on behalf of RNC were also interviewed and their views noted where they replied to the ‘on-line’ questionnaire. A number of documents were made available for the team to review. Their findings on the whole were very positive and encouraging, sighting that the cascade of information was considered to be highly appropriate and useful whilst the contracting processes were found to be effective, fair and equitable. They also felt that the Contract Performance Manager has developed good levels of trust across the Delivery Organisation network and is actively sharing good practice which has fostered a culture of trust and commitment to each other.

“I’ve always found them(3SC) to be honest and straightforward, they don’t hide anything from us. I think that’s the way they operate” – Delivery Organisation

PAT - A Provider Assurance Team (PAT) audit was conducted by Department for Work and Pension officials in January, again for the RNC SES contract. This audit reviews systems of internal control that Contracted Employment Provision (CEP) providers have in place. During a PAT audit, CEP providers undergo a rigorous assessment of their governance, risk management and other control arrangements to ensure taxpayer funded contracts are being administered properly.

The PAT process is complete and we expect a full report along with an announcement of the awarded rating shortly.

Thanks must go to all of our Delivery Organisation partners,RNC and 3SC staff who worked hard to make sure we deliver the best possible services. We have shown that the third sector is more than capable of delivering government contracts to the highest possible standards.

ISO – In February it was the turn of ISO assessments at 3SC, we are very happy to report that following a rigorous assessment, 3SC have successfully retained ISO 9001 (Quality), 27001(Information Security) and 14001(Environmental) standards for the 3rd year running.

HMP audit – During a recent HM Prisons audit of our TR contract management, findings were very positive, and highlighted the effectiveness of our information sharing events and our sharing of good practice with our consortia Delivery Organisations.

All of the above accreditations and standards are absolutely key in our ability to retain current contracts and bid for future contracts. They give assurance to Commissioners and Partners that we have appropriate controls systems and processes in place to deliver excellence.

Thank you all for your support in preparation for and during all of the assessments we have undertaken so far this year…..

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Testimonials

"Bootstrap Enterprises have worked as a subcontracted partner of 3SC for the past year. We greatly value this partnership which we feel has been mutually collaborative and productive.
The approach of 3SC as a prime contractor is supportive, very well organised and responsive when necessary. From our perspective we are grateful to 3SC who regard our local expertise and resource positively and are supportive of our insight and actions when working with customers.
Our project delivery is supported by friendly and effective systems and personnel – IT, compliance and claims, and monitoring and feedback opportunities which are accessible and neither cumbersome or time consuming.
3SC are a good partner to work with and we hope our relationship with them continues in the future.
"

Dave Wylie - Programme Manager, Bootstrap Enterprises

"We started working with Purple Futures in Merseyside in January 2016. 3SC were involved from the start, providing a reporting and monitoring platform that significantly helped us to ensure not only that we had robust procedures to evidence outcomes properly, but also that those procedures grew with the contract, and were flexible to the needs of our learners.
Our contract monitoring lead at 3SC was Karen Ballentyne and I cannot speak too highly of her support throughout. Not only was she crucial in ensuring that compliance standards were met, but she also got involved in the courses we ran, making sure she understood the nuances of our delivery, where the stress lines existed with the wider partnership and providing advice and contacts that enabled us to address issues and resolve problems. Without this unique provision, ensuring the smooth implementation and ongoing delivery of the project would have been much harder.
"

Peter Bentley - Managing Director, Intuitive Thinking Skills Ltd

"As a senior leader with oversight of a number of contracts commissioned by my organisation, I am pleased to provide a very positive assessment of the support given to me by 3SC. The organisation is robust and disciplined in its approach to contract management and lead the way at review in ensuring that providers are contract compliant.
The deep dives that are a regular feature of the work ensure that quality information which is specific and measurable is provided to me. Moreover, the detailed knowledge of potential out sourcing provides considerable added value in terms of development and networking. Requests for information from within my organisation are provided in a timely and efficient manner.
The data is presented in an easy read format and any requests for further detail is always enthusiastically received. Personnel within 3SC are approachable. I have been impressed with their willingness to learn the business outside of the contract arena this making the negotiations with partner organisations a meaningful and organic experience for all concerned.
Most importantly, I have witnessed proactive responses by 3SC in terms of helping smaller potential providers upskill systems and processes within a due diligence context to win contracts that they may well not have won without the expertise provided by 3SC.
"

"3SC have been excellent partners. They have been supportive and prepared to fight our corner. They are focused on quality performance and have helped us deliver good results. Their values are our values.
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Trevor Smith – Chief Executive Officer, Hull CVS

"Groundwork in Greater Manchester has benefited from 3SC's quality assurance processes, their online customer management system, and appropriately challenging but supportive monthly performance reviews. Communication with 3SC has been transparent and professional, I would have no hesitation in recommending 3SC as a choice of prime contractor.
"

Robert Glenn - Business Development Manager, Groundwork in Bolton, Bury, Oldham & Rochdale

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